The English Writing System

by Cook,Vivian J

• ISBN13: 9780340808641
• ISBN10: 0340808640
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2004-01-30
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

The English Language series, which is international in focus, aims to synthesize the wealth of existing linguistic research both on and in English. The English Writing System describes how writing is not simply ancillary to other aspects of language but vitally important to almost everything we do. This book discusses the mechanics of the writing systems of English; the different ways people process words on a page and the mistakes they can make; how children and second language learners acquire these systems; the historical development of the language and the progress of writing technology; in short, the effectiveness of the writing systems of English.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	vii
Ways of writing	1	(30)
Meaning-based and sound-based writing	2	(13)
Two ways of processing written language	15	(16)
The multi-dimensions of spoken and written English	31	(23)
Differences between the visual and acoustic media	32	(6)
Special features of written English	38	(16)
Approaches to English spelling	54	(35)
Basic rules for English	55	(6)
Venezky: correspondence rules and markers	61	(7)
Albrow: three systems of English spelling	68	(8)
Noam and Carol Chomsky: lexical representation	76	(13)
Punctuation and typography	89	(32)
Grammatical and correspondence punctuation	91	(16)
The typography of English	107	(14)
Learning the English writing system	121	(28)
English-speaking children's acquisition of spelling	122	(16)
Acquisition of English spelling by speakers of other languages	138	(11)
Historical changes in the English writing system	149	(29)
Before English	151	(2)
Old English	153	(5)
Middle English	158	(4)
From Early Modern English to Modern English	162	(16)
Variation in the English writing system	178	(27)
Differences of region: `British' and `American' spelling styles	179	(7)
Novel spellings of pop groups and business names	186	(7)
Adapting English to modern means of communication	193	(12)
References	205	(10)
IPA transcription of English phonemes	215	(2)
Index	217